Certification requirement for investment advisers mandates higher-level NISM certification or accepted CFP qualification as alternative. Investment advisers and their associated persons offering investment advice must obtain NISM-Series-X-B (Investment Adviser Level 2) certification under Regulation 3; this reiterates the earlier foundational NISM requirement and prescribes the Level 2 examination as requisite. An exemption applies for persons holding the Certified Financial Planner qualification from FPSB India obtained by the notification date or within thirty days thereafter. Alternatively, certification may be obtained from organizations accredited by NISM to satisfy the relevant investment adviser regulation's certification requirement.